The Best Bob Dylan Covers

In honor of Bob Dylan turning 82, I'm counting down my picks of the best Dylan covers!

12. It Ain’t Me Babe - The Turtles

(Honorable Mention Johnny Cash and June Carter)

To start off this list is a classic. Originally appearing on Dylan's fourth album "Another Side of Bob Dylan" from 1964, the Turtles' version reached number 8 in the United States. It was a breakthrough hit single for the group and later featured on their debut album.

Johnny Cash recorded his version with future wife June Carter and it was released on his album "Orange Blossom Special", also a hit. Their arrangement was also featured in the 2005 film biopic, "Walk the Line", performed by Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon as the couple.

11. Drifter’s Escape - George Thorogood

Okay, I know I'm biased, but I had to include this one. What gives the song an extra oomph is guitarist Jim Suhler's incredible riffing on a Spanish guitar, especially the end, where he just goes wild. It takes the "John Wesley Harding" tune to new heights. A truly fresh arrangement! And George is not half bad either.

10. Make You Feel My Love - Adele

"Time Out of Mind" came out in 1997 and let's face it, Bob's voice was...not at its peak...nor has it ever been the smoothest. So, when Adele covered this song in 2008, it was a breath of fresh air. Adele listened to the song under pressure from her manager. Although, she did not want another cover on her debut album "19", she loved this song. It was released as "19's" fourth and final single and peaked at number 26. She also played bass on the track.

9. Mississippi - Sheryl Crow

'Mississippi' was offered to Sheryl Crow by Dylan before he recorded the track for his "Love and Theft" album in 2003 (Crow's was released in 1998 on her album "The Globe Sessions"). The song was later covered by the Chicks in a similar style to Crow.

Read my write up on "The Globe Sessions" here: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/the-globe-sessions

8. My Back Pages - The Byrds

Another song originally off of "Another Side of Bob Dylan", The Byrds' version is a lot more folky than Bob's. I'd say it's fair to call Bob's a ballad. The Byrds released 'My Back Pages' in 1967 as a part of their fourth album "Younger Than Yesterday". The title was directly inspired by the song's refrain "Ah, but I was so much older then/I'm younger than that now".

7. Girl From the North Country - Neil Young

Neil Young released this cover on his 2014 album "A Letter Home", produced by Jack White. The entire album consists of classic covers by artists such as Willie Nelson, Gordon Lightfoot and, of course, Dylan. It was recorded in a refurbished 1947 Voice-o-Graph vinyl recording booth at Jack White's Third Man Records recording studio in Nashville, Tennessee and was also released by Third Man Records. White provided vocals and guitar on two songs, otherwise, the album is only Neil!

6. I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight - Linda Ronstadt

'I'll Be Your Baby Tonight' was first released by Dylan in 1967 on the album "John Wesley Harding". Linda Ronstadt released a cover on her album "Hand Sown...Home Grown" in 1969. A beautiful rendition that shows off Ronstadt's stellar vocals.

5. Like A Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones

A wonderful music video directed by Michel Gondry and featuring Patricia Arquette.

4. Just Like a Woman - Jeff Buckley

Jeff Buckley's take on the Blonde on Blonde classic opens his 2016 album "You And I", a collection of undiscovered, early-'90s studio recordings.

3. Blowin in the Wind - Joan Baez

(Honorable Mention Simple Twist of Fate)

"Blowin' in the Wind", written in 1962, was released as a single and included Dylan's album "The Freewheelin' Bob Dylan" in 1963. Often described as a protest song, the song inspired singer Sam Cooke to write, "A Change Is Gonna Come" about the Civil Rights Movement. Baez's "Every Stage" album includes live recordings from her tour in the summer of 1975, including her version of "Blowin' in the Wind". This recording was also featured on the Forrest Gump film soundtrack.

"Simple Twist of Fate" was featured on Baez's 1975 album "Diamonds and Rust" (a song about Dylan!) Her version is much more upbeat than the "Blood On The Tracks" classic, and even features Baez doing a Dylan impression.

Read my piece on "Blood On The Tracks" here: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/blood-on-the-tracks

Read my pice on the music of Forrest Gump: https://www.thehotchildinthecity.com/post/turn-turn-turn-the-music-of-forrest-gump

2. Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds

(Honorable mention Chimes of Freedom)

"Mr. Tambourine Man" was the debut single for the Byrds and the title track for the band's debut album, released in 1965. They also covered Dylan's "Chimes of Freedom" on the same album. The cover and, in fact, the album created a template for the folk-rock movement. Another cover that stressed the band's folk music roots was Idris Davies and Pete Seeger's "The Bells of Rhymney". Originally, listeners had mixed feelings about this merger between folk and rock music. Writer Scott Schindler noted in his book "Icons of Rock: An Encyclopedia of the Legends Who Changed Music Forever" that the cover "managed to craft the dour subject matter into a radio-friendly pop song without sacrificing the song's haunting message".

1. All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix

I mean...was there any doubt? Of course this song would be number one!

So, which cover is your favorite? Comment below!